X-UNIVERSE READING ORDER: Reloaded (2004-2005)

The separate reading orders for the X-Men, X-Force, X-Factor and other X-related characters will continue, but I'll also run the X-UNIVERSE READING ORDER that shows how they all fit together. While the X-Men are very much a part of the Marvel Universe, 'X-Universe' is just the banner I'll use that brings all mutant continuity together under one spotlight.

In this entry, the X-Men recover from their battle with Magneto/Xorn, opening a new chapter for the mutants titles under the X-MEN RELOAD banner. Joss Whedon takes the Astonishing X-Men in a bold new direction. Mystique's tenure as a spy for Professor X wraps up in deadly fashion. X-23 is introduced to the Marvel Universe. Wolverine becomes an agent of Hydra and joins the Avengers. And the Scarlet Witch rewrites reality as the House of M has a major impact on the world's mutant population.

MCG Notes:

• Issue listings in blue & black: The must-read stories featuring Marvel's mutants from this time period, along with any key related stories and often-forgotten tales that are worth a read.
• Issue listings in grey: Part of the X-Universe chronology, cameo appearances or stories of note that are non-essential or no longer considered 'required reading'.
• Chronology: Every appearance of the X-Men, X-Force, Exiles and others from this period is included in chronological order, mapping out their timeline rather than just the order the issues were released.
• Spoilers: The issue/story overviews may include spoilers, so be warned!
• JUST WANT TO KEEP IT SIMPLE? Scroll down to THE CORE LIST to see a version of this reading order without story descriptions, page-by-page breakdowns or less important appearances - just a list of the essentials.

Earlier X-Universe entries to follow:

• 2002-2003: Planet X

X-Treme X-Men #46(pp.1-11) (2004)

Storm's X-Treme X-Men learn of the destruction in New York caused by Magneto as well as the death of Jean Grey; Sage and Rogue help Gambit get his powers back.

New Mutants #13 (2004)

First appearance of Justin Pierce; following the destruction of the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning, the original New Mutants reunite to take on Donald Pierce and the Reavers.

Uncanny X-Men #442-443 (2004)

Professor X and Wolverine take Magneto's body back to Genosha; Professor X decides to remain on the island and help rebuild; Polaris reveals to their Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver that she's also Magneto's daughter during FORGING THE SWORD.

Excalibur #1-4 (2004)
First appearance of Excalibur (including Freakshow, Hub & Wicked), Hack, Purge and Unus' Gang (including Caiman and Lightning Rod); Professor X forms a new Excalibur team made up of survivors from the destruction caused by the Wild Sentinels on Genosha, combatting rogue gangs like the one run by Unus the Untouchable; the real Magneto returns during FORGING THE SWORD / X-MEN RELOAD.

New X-Men #151-154 (2004)
First appearance of Earth-15104; In the wake of the battle with Magneto/Xorn, Cyclops quits the X-Men; a future timeline shows how that moment affected one possible future timeline; as if hearing the future Jean Grey's approval to move on with his life, Cyclops changes his mind and continues to lead the X-Men.

New X-Men #155-156(pp.1-22) (2004)
Cyclops and Emma Frost pursue their relationship; X-Corp comes under attack as atni-mutant sentiment rises again.

Exiles #38-40 (2004)

First appearance of Firestar/Angelica Jones of Earth-3062, Hulk/Bruce Banner of Earth-873, King Hyperion/Mark Milton of Earth-4023, Ms Marvel/Carol Danvers of Earth-4732; the reality-hopping Weapon X - the black ops version of the Exiles - face trouble from one of their own on a mission to Earth-94831 (a reality in which the Brotherhood are some of the last remaining mutants on Earth) when Hyperion takes a villainous turn.

Cable & Deadpool #1-6(pp.1-16) (2004)
Cable and Deadpool go from being enemies to reluctant allies when Deadpool's employers, the One World Church, reveal their plans for the world during X-MEN RELOAD.

Mystique #11-12 (2004)
Forge has high hopes for Mystique's redemption, but her attempts to save a mutant child backfire when she becomes less certain who the real enemy is.

X-Statix #19-20 (2004)

Vivisector is tempted to turn his back on his life as a member of the world-famous X-Statix and his relationship with Phat in return for simple humanity when he's offered a cure for his powers.

Exiles #41-42 (2004)

The origin of Nocturne is revealed.

X-Treme X-Men #46(pp.12-24) (2004)

First appearance of Rachel Summers as Marvel Girl; the X-Men help repair the damage done to New York; the X-Treme X-Men disband.

New X-Men #156(pp.22-24) (2004)

Following Jean Grey's funeral, Cyclops decides on a new direction for the X-Men.

Wolverine: The End #1-6 (2004)

In the future of Earth-4011, Wolverine lives out his last days and discovers a final secret from his past.

Exiles #43-45 (2004)
The Exiles take on their evil Weapon X counterparts, led by the power-mad King Hyperion.

Mystique #13 (2004)

Mystique finally learns Shortpack's secret; Shepard tells Mystique she'll soon have to kill her employer, Professor X.

Excalibur #5-7 (2004-2005)

Professor X's new Excalibur face new threats; Genosha comes under attack from the pirate Stripmine; the Dark Beast emerges from hiding.

Mystique #14-18 (2004)
Mystique's next mission for Professor X takes her to Europe where she finds a company using mutants as guinea pigs during X-MEN RELOAD.

Exiles #46-48 (2004)
First appearance of Namora of Earth-2189; Namora joins the Exiles, sending the team into disarray; the Exiles returns to Earth-616 where Nocturne decides to remain while Beak (Barnell Bohusk) of Earth-616 takes her place on the team during X-MEN RELOAD.

Weapon X #15 (2003)
Angered by Archangel and Husk's relationship, Chamber quits the X-Men and is offered a place in Weapon X program.

X-Men Unlimited #2[2/2] (2004)
Jubilee tries to hang out with human kids.

Weapon X #16-18 (2004)
Weapon X's new Director Brent Jackson arranges for Chamber's face to be restored; in return, Chamber is sent to kill John Sublime, bringing him into conflict with the X-Men.

Wolverine #7-11 (2004)

Wolverine takes on human traffickers.

Wolverine #12 (2004)
Wolverine dreams about Jean Grey.

Mystique #19 (2004)
Mystique tackles Hydra and accepts a mission to kill Professor X.

Wolverine #13-19 (2004)
First appearance of the Native; Wolverine is reunited with the Native - a female mutant who escaped the Weapon X program at the same time he did, but they became separated; Weapon X send Sabretooth to reclaim the Native, tricking Wolverine into doing his dirty work for him.

Wolverine/Punisher #1-5 (2004)
Punisher and Wolverine team up against an unusual band of bank robbers in South America.

X-Men Unlimited #7[1/2] (2005)
Nightcrawler tackless a group of muggers.

Rampaging Wolverine #1[4/4] (2009)
Nightcrawler rescues Wolverine when he's trapped on an island.

NYX #1-7 (2003-2005)
First appearance of Catiana (Tatiana Caban), Kiden Nixon, Cameron Palmer and X-23; a group of runaway New York mutants discover a young, clawed mutant and help free her from neighbourhood pimp Zebra Daddy.

Astonishing X-Men #1(pp.1-17) (2004)

First appearance of Ord and Dr Kavita Rao; Cyclops reopens the rebuilt Xavier Institute; Shadowcat (Kitty Pryde) returns to the X-Men.

Uncanny X-Men #444(pp.1-7) (2004)
The X-Men bond over a baseball game during X-MEN RELOAD.

Astonishing X-Men #1(pp.19-24)-6 (2004)
First appearance of Abigail Brand, Hisako Ichiki, Paladins Squad and SWORD (Sentient World Observation and Response Department); while facing the threat of Ord of the Breakworld, the 'Astonishing' squad don new costumes, combat a 'cure' for mutants and discover an old teammate is back from the dead during X-MEN RELOAD.

Weapon X #19-22 (2004)
Gene Nation attack Weapon X; Agent Zero rebels against Weapon X, getting help from Wolverine who finally confronts Malcolm Colcord; the Director secretly works to restart the program.

Weapon X #23-25 (2004)
Fantomex, Wolverine and Agent Zero work together to shut Weapon X down for good, but get caught up in a war between the Weapon X Program and John Sublime's Weapon Plus Program during X-MEN RELOAD.

X-Men Unlimited #11[1/2] (2005)
Marvel Girl (Rachel Summers) confides in Havok over her feelings on Cyclops and Emma Frost's relationship.

Nightcrawler #1-2 (2004)

Nightcrawler begins his search for a child-killer during X-MEN RELOAD.

X-Men #157(pp.1-22) (2004)
The X-Men dispute their team placements with Cyclops; Havok leads a new team on a mission to China during X-MEN RELOAD.

Uncanny X-Men #444(p.8-11) (2004)
Sage observes the other X-Men at the Xavier Institute during X-MEN RELOAD.

X-Men #157(p.23-25)-160 (2004)
First appearance of Shen Xorn; Havok's X-Men squad discover a new Xorn with connections to the previous one; the Eight Immortals try to stop Xorn from leaving with the X-Men; Xorn ends up joining Havok's team during X-MEN RELOAD.

New X-Men: Academy X #1-6(pp.1-18) (2004)
First appearance of DJ/Mark Sheppard, Dryad/Callie Betto, the Corsairs Squad, the Hellion Squad, the New Mutants Squad and Quill/Maxwell Jordan; first appearance of David Alleyne as Prodigy, Noriko Ashida as Surge, Laurie Collins as Wallflower, Brian Cruz as Tag, Joshua Foley as Elixir, Kevin Ford as Wither, Dallas Gibson as Specter, Jaye Guthrie as Icarus, Megan Gwynn as Pixie, Ben Hammil as Match, Julian Keller as Hellion, Cessily Kincaid as Mercury, Sofia Mantega as Wind Dancer & Santo Vaccarro as Rockslide; the new trainee X-Men get into trouble with Cyclops when they clash with the FBI during X-MEN RELOAD.

Nightcrawler #3-4 (2005)
Nightcrawler solves the murder mystery with Amanda Sefton's help during X-MEN RELOAD.

Uncanny X-Men #444(pp.12-23)-447 (2004)
First appearance of Marvel Girl/Rachel Summers as Rachel Grey; Storm forms a new X-Treme Sanctions Executive (XSE) and immediately clash with the Weaponeers and face the terrifying might of
the Fury during X-MEN RELOAD.

Uncanny X-Men #448-449 (2004)
Viper and Courtney Ross form a new Hellfire Club.

X-Men Unlimited #2[1/2] (2004)

Bishop accepts the assignment as a consultant to the police in Mutant Town during MISTER M.

X-Men Unlimited #3[2/2] (2003)
Cannonball helps his brother Icarus deal with his girlfriend's death.

Rogue #1-6 (2004-2005) 

Gambit helps Rogue come to terms with her past while also helping her solve the mystery of Campbell Saint- Ange during X-MEN RELOAD.

X-Statix #21-26 (2004)
The X-Statix race the Avengers to retrieve the exploded fragments of Doop's brain, all while being manipulated by Loki; the X-Statix face certain death.

X-Men Unlimited #4[1/2] (2004)
Juggernaut becomes the Xavier Institute's gym teacher.

District X #1-6 (2004)

First appearance of Jazz/John Zander, Mister M/Absolon Mercator, Lara the Illusionist/Lara King, Lizard Lady/Hanna Levy, Armena Ortega, Chamayra Ortega, Esteban Ortega, Officer Ismael 'Izzy' Ortega, Patch, Nemesio Pietri and Lorelei Travis; Bishop is assigned human Izzy Ortega partner to help him uncover a drugs racket in Mutant Town during MISTER M / X-MEN RELOAD.

Identity Disc #1-5 (2004)
Sabretooth, Bullseye, Deadpool, Juggernaut, Sandman and Vulture fight over a disc that contains the secret identities of the world's heroes.

X-Men Unlimited #4[2/2] (2004)
Emma Frost ruins an old friend's wedding.

X-Men Unlimited #6[1/2] (2005)
Emma Frost, Shadowcat, Storm and Sage share worst date stories while taking down agents of AIM.

X-Men Unlimited #8[1/2] (2006)
Angel creates a new charity organisation.

Uncanny X-Men #450-451 (2004)

Wolverine is implicated in the murder of a gang of thugs; Wolverine and the X-Men learn who really killed the thugs when they first meet X-23.

New X-Men: Academy X #6(pp.19-23) (2004)
Wither joins the Hellions during X-MEN RELOAD.

Weapon X #26-28 (2004)
Sabretooth is sent to kill Mister Sinister's genetically modified Children.

Wonder Man #1-5 (2007)
Flashbacks: The Beast is on-hand when Wonder Man tries to rehabilitate the super-villain LadykiIller.

Exiles #49 (2004)
The Exiles batte the Impossible Man of Earth-14845 when he falls under the sway of the Controller.

X-Men #161-164 (2004-2005)
First appearance of Mammomax/Maximus Jensen; Juggernaut betrays the X-Men, allowing the new Brotherhood of Evil Mutants to attack the Xavier Institute.

X-Men Unlimited #5 (2004)
Cyclops tests Wolverine in the Danger Room; Wolverine tackles a mutant in a bar.

Uncanny X-Men #452-454 (2005)
First appearance of Marvel Girl/Rachel Grey as Warrior White Princess, Donald Pierce as White King, Courtney Ross as White Queen, Sunspot/Roberto da Costa as Black King/Lord Imperial & Viper as Warrior White Princess; the X-Men infiltrate the new Hellfire Club.

Sabretooth #1-4 (2004)
On the run for yet another brutal murder, Sabretooth is hunted by Alpha Flight's Sasquatch.

Mystique #20-24 (2004-2005)
Mystique finally turns against Professor X and learns the truth about Agent 16, Shepard and the Quiet Man.

X-Men Unlimited #6[2/2] (2005)
Rogue and Marvel Girl help a stranger.

Spider-Man #6 (2004)
When his aunt May Parker goes missing, Spider-Man lturns to the X-Men for help.

Excalibur #8(pp.1-16) (2005)
Avengers #501-503(pp.1-26) (2004)
Excalibur #8(pp.16-20) (2005)
Avengers #503(pp.27-34) (2004)
Magneto and Professor X begin successfully rebuilding Genosha; the Beast comes to the aid of the Avengers when they face their greatest threat; Magneto learns his daughter is in danger; the Avengers learn their enemy is one of their own; Magneto takes the Scarlet Witch back to Genosha during AVENGERS DISASSEMBLED.

Excalibur #9-10 (2005)
The Dark Beast joins Professor X's Excalibur squad as they discover the Sugar Man on Genosha; Magneto struggles to find a way to help the Scarlet Witch during AVENGERS DISASSEMBLED.

Excalibur #11(pp.1-8) (2005)

Professor X expresses serious concerns over Magneto revealing he's still alive during HOUSE OF M.

District X #7-12 (2005)
Ishmael Ortega and Bishop find the mutant Worm who lives in the sewers under Mutant Town.

Nightcrawler #5-6 (2005)

Nightcrawler investigates New York's haunted subways.

X-Men Unlimited #7[2/2] (2005) 

Shadowcat tries to help a young mutant to control his powers.

Exiles #50-51 (2004) 

Mimic of the Exiles meets the Mimic of Earth-5423 who formed the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants in that reality and tries to convince him to change his ways.

Spectacular Spider-Man #19-20 (2004)
X-Men cameo; while Spider-Man and Captain America take on the Queen, the X-Men are among the heroes who show up to contain the innocents under her control during AVENGERS DISASSEMBLED.

X-Men: The End - Book One: Dreamers & Demons #1-6 (2004-2005)
X-Men: The End - Book Two: Heroes & Martyrs #1-6 (2005)
X-Men: The End - Book Three: Men & X-Men #1-6 (2006)
The X-Men of Earth-41001 face numerous old foes in their final days during X-MEN: THE END.

Madrox #1-5 (2004-2005)

First appearance of Clay and XXX Investigations/X-Factor Investigations; Jamie Madrox starts up a private investigation business with Strong Guy and Wolfsbane just as his powers go through a strange transition.

X-Men #165 (2005)

First appearance/mention of Mutantes Sans Frontières; the X-Men gather together for Christmas; X-23 runs into the X-Men again and is invited to become a student.

New X-Men: Academy X #7-9 (2005)
First appearance of Indra/Paras Gavaskar and Trance/Hope Abbott; the new New Mutants investigate reports of a ghost in the Xavier Institute.

Avengers Finale #1 (2005)
Beast is present when the Avengers officially break up during AVENGERS DISASSEMBLED.

X-Men Unlimited #3[1/2] (2004)
Gambit gets involved in corporate espionage and takes on the CIA.

X-Men Unlimited #10[1/2] (2005)
Beast becomes a guidance counsellor.

Marvel Team-Up #1-2, 5-6 (2005)
First appearance of Doctor Doom/Tony Stark of Earth-5012 and Titannus; Wolverine and Spider-Man take on a mutant serial killer; Spider-Man and X-23 join forces against Titannus and the Iron Maniac.

Jubilee #1-6 (2004-2005)
Jubilee relocates to Los Angeles.

Marvel Holiday Special 2004 #1[2/3] (2005)
The X-Men celebrate Christmas.

Cable & Deadpool #6(pp17-21) (2004)
First appearance of Providence; Cable and Deadpool form an uneasy alliance during X-MEN RELOAD.

Cable & Deadpool #7-12 (2004-2005)
Domino and the reformed Six Pack (with some surprising new members) are hired to bring Providence down when Cable decides to become the world's new messiah; Cable sacrifices his mind and his powers to defeat the Silver Surfer and create his utopia; Deadpool and Agent X search for a way to save Cable.

X4 #1-5 (2005)
The X-Men and Fantastic Four join forces to stop a Brood invasion.

X-Men Unlimited #8[2/2] (2005)
Shadowcat and Beast hang out.

New X-Men: Academy X #10-12 (2005)
The New Mutants Squad of Earth-600123 are pitted against Prodigy when he becomes President; confront Wallflower's dad.

Uncanny X-Men #455-459 (2005)
First appearance of the Hauk'ka; Psylocke returns from the grave and accompanies Storm's XSE and X-23 on a mission to the Savage Land where they discover hyper-evolved dinosaurs.

Wolverine #20(pp.1-12) (2004)

First appearance of Gorgon/Tomi Shishido; Wolverine is captured by the Hand during ENEMY OF THE STATE.

Exiles #52-53 (2004)
The Exiles are sent on a mission to Earth-4162 where Ego the Living Planet has given the planet sentience.

Wolverine #20(pp.15-24)-21(pp.1-17) (2004-2005)

Under Hydra's control, Wolverine battles SHIELD and Elektra during ENEMY OF THE STATE.

New Thunderbolts #4 (2005)
Wolverine clashes with the new Swordsman during ENEMY OF THE STATE.

Uncanny X-Men #460(pp.1-15) (2005)

Bishop and Sage learn Wolverine has been turned into a Hydra weapon; Marvel Girl learns Colossus is back from the dead.

Wolverine #21(pp.18-22)-22 (2005)

New Invaders #6 (2005)

Wolverine #23-24 (2005)

Wolverine #25(pp.1-12) / New X-Men: Academy X #13(pp.1-4) (2005)
Wolverine #25(pp.13-20) / New X-Men: Academy X #13(pp.5-6) (2005)
The Hydra-controlled Wolverine battles the Fantastic Four, Daredevil and others before attacking the Xavier Institute and killing one of the X-Men during ENEMY OF THE STATE.

X-Force #1 (2004)
Cable fails to kill the mutant-hunting Skorrn and reforms X-Force to help him finish the job during X-MEN RELOAD / ENEMA OF THE STATE.

Wolverine #26(pp1-11) (2005)

New X-Men: Academy X #13(pp.7-12) (2005)
Wolverine #26(pp.12-15) / New X-Men: Academy X #13(pp.13-15) (2005)
Wolverine #26(pp.15-24)-27 (2005)

New X-Men: Academy X #13(pp.16-21) (2005)
First appearance of the Paragons Squad; Gorgon's origin is revealed; the students at the Xavier Institute mourn the loss of their teacher; Elektra steals another super-hero corpse; a memorial service is held for Northstar; Wolverine takes on the Hydra-controlled Elektra during ENEMY OF THE STATE.

Cable and Deadpool #13-14(pp.1-20) (2005)
Cable focuses on his mission with X-Force, leaving Deadpool to defend Providence from a mutant terrorist during ENEMA OF THE STATE.

Wolverine #28-31(pp.1-23) (2005)

Wolverine has his final showdown with Gorgon during ENEMY OF THE STATE.

X-Force #2-6 (2004-2005)
X-Force are accompanied by Deadpool, the Human Torch, Thing and Wolverine in their war against the Skornn and the new Mutant Liberation Front; Cable makes the ultimate sacrifice during X-MEN RELOAD / ENEMA OF THE STATE.

Cable & Deadpool #14(pp21-22)-15 (2005)
Deadpool, Siryn and Cannonball bounce around the multiverse in search of Cable during ENEMA OF THE STATE.

Starjammers #1-6 (2004-2005)

Separated from their leader, Corsair, the Starjammers face trouble in the furthest reaches of space.

New Avengers: The Illuminati #2 (2007)

Professor X and his fellow Illuminati members claim all six Infinity Gems for safe-keeping.

Secret War #2-5 (2004-2005)
Secret War #4-5 (2005)
The Pulse #9(pp.1-8) (2005)
The Pulse #6(pp.1-2) (2005)
The Pulse #9(pp.11-22) (2005)
First appearance of a new Crimson Dynamo, Diamondback/Debbie Johnson, a new Hobgoblin, Daisy Johnson and Spider-Slayer Mark XIX; Nick Fury's 'Secret War' is exposed; an army of tech-based villains attack New York; Wolverine learns Fury tampered with his memories during SECRET WAR.

X-Men: Phoenix - Endsong #1-5 (2005)

The Phoenix Force returns, resurrecting Jean Grey as its host, then attempts to use Emma Frost instead; Quentin Quire tries to manipulate the Phoenix into resurrecting Sophie of the Stepford Cuckoos; the Shi'ar risk killing the X-Men to destroy the Phoenix once and for all.

X-Men Unlimited #12[1/2] (2006)
Wolverine spends time in the wilderness, focusing on Jean Grey to heal faster.

X-Men #166-170 (2005)
First appearance of Gazer; the X-Men investigate the alien Golgotha in Antarctica.

Uncanny X-Men #460(pp.15-22)-461 (2005)
Nocturne is reunited with Earth-616's Nightcrawler; Mojo transforms the X-Men, Nocturne and Juggernaut into a new band of X-Babies and pits them against his very own version of the Exiles.

Exiles #54-57 (2005)
The Exiles are sent to find a cheese danish on Earth-26292; the Exiles head to Earth-37072, a world in which Kulan Gath successfully took over the planet.

Wolverine: Soultaker #1-5 (2005)
Wolverine faces demons, ninjas and zombies in Japan.

Astonishing X-Men #7-12 (2005)
First appearance of Blindfold (Ruth Aldine), Danger, Agent Deems, Drenx, Sydren and the Peak; the Danger Room tries to kill the X-Men; Professor X briefly returns to the Xavier Institute, but the reunion doesn't go well.

Exiles #58-59 (2005)
Tanaraq takes control of Sasquatch; Heather Hudson loses her powers; the Exiles refuse to kill Mimic, so the Timebroker prepares to punish them; Sabretooth of Earth-295 is brought into the line-up.

Age of Apocalypse One-Shot #1[4/4] (2005)
Age of Apocalypse #1-2 (2005)
Exiles #60-61 (2005)
Age of Apocalypse #3-6 (2005)
First appearance of the Earth-295 versions of the Sinister Six and X-23/Kirika Yashida; first appearance of Jean Grey of Earth-295 as Phoenix; the nuclear holocaust of Earth-295 is revealed to have been prevented; the X-Men survived and start building a new America without Apocalypse; the Exiles are sent to the Age of Apocalypse as punishment for disobeying the Timebroker; Holocaust joins the Exiles; Magneto's secrets are finally revealed during THE NEW AGE OF APOCALYPSE.

X-Men Unlimited #9[1/2] (2005)

Wolverine reflects on his brushes with death on his way to his friend's funeral.

X-Women #1 (2010)

Baronnes Krieg takes away Marvel Girl, Psylocke, Rogue, Shadowcat and Storm's powers, trapping them on an island.

New Avengers #4-6 (2005)
First appearance of Maria Hill; following up on a breakout at the Raft, the new Avengers head to the Savage Land where they encounter Wolverine and unearth a SHIELD conspiracy; Wolverine joins the Avengers during BREAKOUT.

New Avengers #42(pp.17-18) (2008)

Wolverine and his fellow Avengers discuss the whereabouts of the Scarlet Witch during SECRET INVASION.

MCG Note: Wait until Secret Invasion to read this story.

Marvel Team-Up #10-13 (2005)
Wolverine joins Doctor Strange, Hulk, Ms Marvel, Nova, She-Hulk and Spider-Man in the final showdown with Titannus.

Rogue #7-12 (2005)

Rogue and Sunspot joins forces against Blindspot and Lady Deathstrike; Rogue completely absorbs Sunfire's powers.

Gambit #1-12 (2004-2005)
Gambit heads back to New Orleans to take on a demonic club owner, a voodoo priestess and the super-powered Bandit with a little help from Brother Voodoo, Wolverine and the X-Men.

What If Magneto and Professor X Had Formed The X-Men Together? #1 (2005)

On Earth-523004, Magneto & Professor X's X-Men take on the Sentinels and the Hellfire Club together.

Exiles #62-65 (2005)
First appearance of the Timebreakers; the Exiles learn the origin of the Timebroker and join forces with other Hyperions when King Hyperion returns.

X-Men Unlimited #9[2/2] (2005)
Iceman considers quitting the X-Men.

X-Men #171-174 (2005)
First appearance of Bling!/Roxanne Washington, Flubber/Nick Shelley, Onyxx/Sidney Green, Pulse/Augustus Madison and Rain Boy/Carl Aalston; first appearance of Mystique as Foxx; Mystique infiltrates the X-Men in an attempt to break up Rogue and Gambit.

New X-Men: Academy X #14(pp.1-10) (2005)
New X-Men: Hellions #1(pp.1-3) (2005)
New X-Men: Academy X #14(pp.11-23) (2005)
New X-Men: Academy X Yearbook Special #1[2/2] (2005)
New X-Men #15(pp.1-6) / New X-Men: Hellions #1(p.1-3) (2005)
New X-Men: Academy X #15(pp.7-23) (2005)
New X-Men: Academy X Yearbook Special #1[1/2] (2005)
The kids at the Xavier Institute prepare for the school dance to celebrate the end of their first year during NEW HELLIONS.

New Avengers #7-10 (2005)

First appearance of the Illuminati; the Avengers, X-Men and Fantastic Four help the Sentry regain control of his dark alter-ego, the Void; the Sentry joins the Avengers; the existence of the Illuminati is revealed (including Professor X's membership in the group), though their existence remains a secret to the world at large.

Giant-Size Avengers #1[5/6] (2008)
The new Avengers commemorate the memory of the original Avengers.

New X-Men: Hellions #1(pp.4-22)-4 (2005)
The Hellions spend their summer in California, tangling with the Kingmaker during NEW HELLIONS.

Hercules #4-5 (2005)
Hercules is set new Labours by the Olympian Gods, bringing him into conflict with the Avengers.

Captain Universe/X-23 #1 (2006)
The Uni-Power briefly grants X-23 the power of Captain Universe during UNIVERSAL HEROES.

Young Avengers #11-12 (2005-2006)
First appearance of Kate Bishop as Hawkeye; first appearance of Tommy Shepherd as Speed; the Avengers learn the origin of Hulkling; Speed joins the Young Avengers.

Giant-Size Avengers #1[4/6] (2008)
Luke Cage, Wolverine and Spider-Man vs Emperor None.

Amazing Spider-Man #519-522 (2005)
Spider-Man, Wolverine and the other new Avengers take on super-powered Hydra creations based on the original Avengers.

4 #21 (2005)
Emma Frost joins members of the Fantastic Four on a night out.

Marvel Knights: Spider-Man #13-14, 18 (2005)
Wolverine teases Spider-Man by flirting with his wife when they get set up in Avengers Tower.

X-Men: Kitty Pryde - Shadow & Flame #1-5 (2005)

Shadowcat and Lockheed have a rematch with Ogun and learn the fate of Puff.

X-Men Unlimited #12[2/2] (2006)
Wolverine has to reconcile a drunken Puck.

Nightcrawler #7-12 (2005-2006)
Nightcrawler falls into a trap set by the demon Hive and learns more about his origins; the X-Men celebrate Nightcrawler's birthday.

X-Men #175 (2005)
Black Panther #8 (2005)
X-Men #176 (2005)
Black Panther #9 (2005)
The Black Panther and the X-Men discover the Red Ghost and Dr Paine experiments in Africa during WILD KINGDOM.

Exiles #66-68 (2005)
The Exiles fight giant monsters on Earth-3572.

X-Men: Colossus - Bloodline #1-5 (2005-2006)

Following his resurrection, Colossus returns to Russia where he's manipulated by by some very familiar foes and learns their connection to his family.

District X #13-14 (2005)
Bishop faces an intense stand-off in Mutant Town.

X-Men Unlimited #14[2/2] (2006)
Colossus teaches art at the Xavier Institute.

Excalibur #11(pp.9-22)-14 (2005)
Excalibur and Mutantes Sans Frontiés defend Zanzibar from the Weaponeers; Magneto makes a sacrifice play to allow Professor X and Doctor Strange to concentrate on helping the Scarlet Witch; Excalibur disband during HOUSE OF M.

House of M #1(pp.1-17) (2005)
First appearance of Yellowjacket/'Hank Pym'/Criti Noll; the X-Men and Avengers head to Genosha to discover the fate of the Scarlet Witch during HOUSE OF M.

New Avengers #42(pp.21) (2008)
X-Men cameo; the X-Men and Avengers arrives on Genosha during SECRET INVASION.
MCG Note: Wait until Secret Invasion to read this story.

House of M #1(pp.18-26) (2005)

First appearance of the House of M/Earth-58163; reality is transformed around the X-Men and Avengers during HOUSE OF M.

Cable & Deadpool #16 (2005)

Deadpool, Siryn and Cannonball track Cable down but find him in a drastically altered reality during ENEMA OF THE STATE.

Uncanny X-Men #462(pp.1-19) (2005)
Incredible Hulk #83 (2005)
Black Panther #7(pp.1-6) (2005)
House of M #2 (2005)

Wolverine wakes up in the House of M reality as the only person who remembers how things should be; Marvel Girl pulls her fellow X-Men out of reality to they're unaffected by the warp, but learn that it's allowed Jim Jaspers and the Fury back into being; former villains now work as part of Magneto's establishment against the Hulk and the Black Panther during HOUSE OF M.

New Avengers #45(pp.10-11) (2008)

X-Men cameo; reality-warped versions of the X-Men are seen aboard the Red Guard's Helicarrier during SECRET INVASION.

MCG Note: Wait until Secret Invasion to read this story.

Spider-Man: House of M #5 (2005)

Incredible Hulk #84 (2005)
Iron Man: House of M #1-3 (2005)
Black Panther #7(pp.7-23) (2005)
Fantastic Four: House of M #1-3 (2005)
Incredible Hulk #85-86 (2005)
Magneto's presence is felt across the new reality; Doctor Doom attempts to assassinate Magneto during HOUSE OF M.

House of M #3 (2005)

Wolverine #33-35 (2005)
Exiles #69 (2005)
House of M #4 (2005)
Mutopia X #1 (2005)
House of M #5(pp.1-19) (2005)
Captain America #10 (2005)
House of M #5(pp.20-21) (2005)
Mutopia #2 (2005)
Uncanny X-Men #462(pp.20-23)-463 (2005)
New X-Men: Academy X #16 (2005)
The Pulse #10 (2005)
Exiles #70 (2005)
Mutopia X #3 (2005)
Uncanny X-Men #464 (2005)
New X-Men: Academy X #17 (2005)
House of M #6 (2005)
New X-Men: Academy X #18 (2005)
Uncanny X-Men #465 (2005)
House of M #7 (2005)
New X-Men: Academy X #19 (2005)

Mutopia X #4 (2005)

First appearance of Layla Miller; Wolverine gathers allies to oppose Magneto and restore reality; Marvel Girl, Psylocke, Captain Britain and others clash with the House of M's Marauders; Meggan makes a sacrifice to save reality; the Exiles return to Earth-616 to discover it's been dramatically changed; the Exiles pursue the resurrected Proteus during HOUSE OF M.

Cable & Deadpool #17 (2005)

Deadpool, Siryn and Cannonball have to retrieve Cable from Mister Sinister before reality changes again during HOUSE OF M / ENEMA OF THE STATE.

Exiles #71 (2005)

The Exiles pursue Proteus when he escapes the House of M reality in search of new hosts during HOUSE OF M.

Onslaught Reborn #1-5 (2007-2008)
With reality restored but the balance of power drastically changed, Onslaught regains his form and looks for revenge against Franklin Richards; Franklin escapes to Counter-Earth where he recreates the Avengers, Fantastic Four and Wolverine to defend him.

House of M #8(pp.1-5) (2005)

The morning after the House of M during HOUSE OF M.

New X-Men #20(p.1-4) (2006)

William Stryker returns during DECIMATION.

House of M #8(pp.5-8) (2005)
Most of the kids at the Xavier Institute are revealed to have lost their powers; Wolverine's memory is completely restored during HOUSE OF M.

New X-Men #20(pp.5-15) (2006)
Some mutant students discover they still have their powers during DECIMATION.

House of M #8(pp.10-12) (2005)
Emma Frost discovers the power loss is global during HOUSE OF M.

New X-Men #20(pp.16-17) (2006)
Emma Frost calms the panicked students during DECIMATION.

House of M #8(pp.13-19) (2005)
Iceman is revealed to have lost his powers during HOUSE OF M.

Cable & Deadpool #18 (2005)
Deadpool looks after Cable while he returns to adult form during ENEMA OF THE STATE.

House of M: The Day After #1(pp.1-12) (2006)

Bishop helps the population of Mutant Town deal with their power loss; the X-Men calculate the remaining mutants on Earth during HOUSE OF M / DECIMATION.

Mutopia X #5 (2006)
Bishop talks his former partner out of committing suicide during DECIMATION.

House of M: The Day After #1(pp.13-31) (2006) 

First appearance of the O*N*E (Office of National Emergency); X-Factor Investigations help out in Mutant Town; MI13 call in Captain Britain; the O*N*E prepare their new Sentinels; Quicksilver and Jubilee are revealed to be powerless during HOUSE OF M / DECIMATION.

Cable & Deadpool #19 (2005)
Deadpool takes Cable to a bar when he becomes old enough to drink during ENEMA OF THE STATE.

House of M #8(pp.20-26) (2005)
The X-Men confront the powerless Magneto on Genosha during HOUSE OF M.

Sentinel Squad O*N*E #1-5(pp.1-17) (2006)
Over the last several months, the Office of National Emergency (O*N*E) have been training soldiers to pilot Sentinels, as revealed during DECIMATION.

A version of this reading order without story descriptions, page-by-page breakdowns or less important appearances - just a list of the core X-Men stories and essentials. Issues in brackets don't include X-characters, but should be read to better understand the story:

• Excalibur #1-4
• New X-Men #151-154
• Cable & Deadpool #1-6
• Astonishing X-Men #1-6
• Uncanny X-Men #450-451
• Madrox #1-5
• Wolverine #20-31
• Secret War #(1), 2-5
• Astonishing X-Men #7-12
• New Avengers #(1-3), 4-10
• House of M #1-8
• House of M: The Day After #1

The X-Universe reading order will continue:

• 2006-2007: Decimated (2006-2007)